Tigers go closer by committee

The Tigers are certainly making the last week of an agonizingly long spring training interesting. The other news of the day is that Fernando Rodney will be the closer on Opening Day (presuming of course they need a closer). But that he might not be after that. But Jim Leyland isn’t naming him the closer for the season and it sounds like others (Lyon/Zumaya/Perry) will get shots at it as well. There’s no word on if Fernando Rodney’s gator tooth factored into the decision.

So for everybody looking for saves on their fantasy team, probably best to stay away from the Tigers. Then again maybe you were already doing this.

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6 Comments

Kathy

April 1, 2009 at 9:05 pm

I wonder if Leyland made the remark about Rodney closing on Opening Day before the game today or after. Could his remarks given Justin an anxiety attack and made him lose his concentration and figure “why bother”. Just curious.

calvinboy

April 1, 2009 at 10:13 pm

Now that it looks like the Tigers will get Skelton back, what happens with him?

They have to go by committee…which is actually good…it will allow Leyland to choose the best matchup for any situation, rather than assigned “closer” roles. Lyon it Todd Jones-lite, but with a clean 9th inning to get three outs, will probably succeed more often than not.
Rodney has trouble with those one inning save opps, but can enter and get a K in a tough situation.
Perry is obviously the most talented, and will likely end up getting the pressure roles – the Zumaya role in ’06 – before long, but will get a chance to get his feet wet first.

Kathy

April 1, 2009 at 11:20 pm

Well, I’d have to agree with you, rings, on the closer by committee. At this point, it will probably depend on the situation and who is healthy. It would have been so nice if we had gotten JJ Putz…..no more wondering. Ryan Perry looks like a real winner, though and I’m trying to have more faith in Rodney and Lyon.

jud

April 2, 2009 at 1:46 am

6 different bullpen pitchers and three different starting pitchers from last year opening day..At least they are trying.Perry will succeed and Porcello will be able to go back down if Bondo makes it back. I like the look of the Roster actually..

but what happened to Rincon..he isn’t listed anywhere on the Tiger site or 25 or 40 man roster

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